A presidential debate won’t change the outcome of the 2024 elections – Bokpin

As the controversy over the presidential debate intensifies, Professor of Finance at the University of Ghana, Godfred Bokpin, says a debate won’t impact the upcoming general elections.

He attributes this to the limited time frame before the December polls. However, he emphasized that presidential debates are essential for entrenching our democracy.

In an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, July 27, he stated, “I don’t really think that in the circumstance and from now to December, a mere debate will change the outcome of the election. But I think that if we want to institutionalize that, let’s have a conversation so that we know that it is part and parcel of us.”

His remarks come amid growing calls from the Bawumia camp for a debate between the two leading presidential candidates ahead of the elections.

According to the Economist, the flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, needs a debate with opposition candidate John Mahama more than Mahama needs it.

He emphasized that it would benefit Bawumia’s election bid, adding that, “They know what they are doing.”

Meanwhile, Buem Member of Parliament, Kofi Adams, is of the view that Mr Mahama doesn’t have to engage in a debate with Dr Bawumia.

According to him, the NPP flagbearer would end up embarrassing himself since his government has failed to deliver on the promises made to Ghanaians.

He explained that despite the countless claims from Dr Bawumia that he was an “economic messiah” and head of the Economic Management Team, the country’s current economic condition is nothing to write home about.